Sheri Ritchie

Sheri Ritchie of Scotts, age 65, died on July 22, 2024. Sheri was born August 28, 1958 in Kalamazoo to James and Jeanette Ritchie. Sheri was the oldest of her siblings and was a role model and guiding light for her younger siblings, indefinitely. She attended Gull Lake High School and graduated in 1976. It was at Gull Lake, in the 8th grade that she would find a lifelong friend in Sue Myers. They would remain best friends until the day she died. Immediately following high school, she sold her MG sports car and used the proceeds to back pack across Europe; all by herself. She briefly worked for the US State department in Washington, DC and was accepted to Georgetown University Law School. However, she returned home and earned her master’s degree in political science from Western Michigan University, graduating Suma Cum Laude, which meant she was in the top five percent of her class and had a 4.0 GPA.

She became a college instructor and taught political science classes at Western Michigan and KVCC. In 1987 she became a mom, welcoming her only child, Alex. After a brief time, she came to the conclusion that she could not teach and spend the time with Alex that she wanted to so she sought a different career. Sheri was the greatest mom. She was supportive, encouraging and open minded. She was ever present at school events and football games. She facilitated any hobby, interest or collection that Alex was passionate about. Later on, when she became a grandma, it was as if all of her life’s experience, education and wisdom culminated into her ultimate, and inevitably, final role. She was meant to be a grandma.

She served as assistant director of Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes for the next 20+ years in addition to fulfilling duties as volunteer coordinator and grant writer. Her work there exemplifies her character and core beliefs – the absolute greatest of Christian values – Sheri believed firmly in service, volunteering, civic duty, and helping the less fortunate. She believed in equality and she held no prejudices or judgment. She was active in coordinating with the Gospel Mission and Deacons Conference. She helped civil rights causes. She served many political campaigns throughout her life. She believed in the American system and she was a shining example what it really means to be a patriot. She could speak four languages, and used her multilingual ability to translate for others who needed help.

Sheri held numerous certifications, training and accolades, and was an ordained minister. She was a certified Master Gardener and had a lifelong love of gardening and the outdoors. An amazing cook, she loved diverse cuisines and had an open mind to all cultures. Her favorite movies were Breaking Away, Local Hero, and Silver Linings Playbook. She loved the music of Peter Frampton, The Guess Who, Motown, Rolling Stones, Gypsy Kings and Eric Clapton. She was a world traveler, but her favorite place on earth was the cottage on Stuart Lake. A vivacious reader, she was seldom without a book by her side. She loved her friends as if they were blood. When she was younger, she brought home, not stray animals (well those too) but stray people. From all over the world – literally.

Sheri had a great sense of humor, and no joke offended her no matter how dirty. Sheri and her partner David had many plans and dreams they were looking forward to. She and her granddaughter had many experiences on the horizon. She left too soon; she will be missed every day.

She is preceded in death by her dad; brother, Jimmy Ritchie; brother-in-law, Bret Liggett; grandparents, Alton and Margaret Hart; and father-in-law, Jack Johnson.

Surviving are her significant other, David Johnson; son, Alex Azizi; granddaughter: Rayna Elzinga; mom, Jeanette “Tootie” Ritchie; sisters: Cheryl Ritchie and Robin Ritchie; nieces and nephews: Ashley Rogers, Shelby (Marshall) Davidsmeyer, Tayler (Anthony) Martin; Penelope Sackett; great nieces and nephews: Hannah, Olivia, Keagan, Nolan, Madison, Camden, Sydney and Grayson, and her best friends Deb O’Keefe, Sue “Marty” Myers, Deb Hansen, and Jenny Opdyck; and fur babies, Dudley and Amber.

Please join us for a Life Story Service on Thursday, August 1 at 11 AM at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900. Visitation will begin one hour prior. A reception will follow the service in the Life Story Center where food, drinks, and stories will be shared.

Celebrate Sheri’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on her dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Animal Rescue Project.